Drip-preventing saucer



Nov. 20, 1956 E. o. BRONSON 2,770,957

DRIP-PREVENTING SAUCER Filed Sept. 27, 1954 INVENTOR.

EA Rl. D. BRONSON Fig 3 &

United States Patent 2,770,957 DRIP-PREVENTING SAUCER Earl D. Bronson, San Diego, Calif.

Application September 27, 1954, Serial No. 458,460

2 Claims. (Cl. 65-15) The present invention relates generally to tableware and more particularly to a drip-preventing saucer.

The primary object of this invention is to provide a drip-preventing saucer having a cup receiving socket shaped so that a minimum area of the cup is in actual contact with the saucer thus decreasing the area of probable adhesion of the liquid to the cup.

It is another object to provide a saucer having a central reservoir therein to hold overflow of liquid from the cup, the reservoir being entirely hidden from view when the cup is in place on the saucer.

Another object of this invention is to provide a drippreventing saucer having an annular trough which is connected to the central reservoir by a plurality of channels to distribute spilled or overflow liquid throughout the saucer, the cup being held above the level of the overflow.

Another object of this invention is to provide a saucer in which the reservoir is substantially deeper than the trough so that a considerable quantity of spilled liquid can collect in the reservoir and be concealed by the cup before the liquid extends to the trough, thereby hiding the spilled liquid while a cup is in place on the saucer. This is important to a hostess or restauateur since the general appearance of the table or dining counter is improved.

Another object of this invention is to provide a drippreventing saucer which is adapted for fabrication from many different materials, so that the choice of material can be according to the dictates of availability and price considerations, the exact sizes and proportions being matters easily determined to suit particular conditions and needs.

Another object of this invention is to provide a drippreventing saucer which is inexpensive and practicable to manufacture.

Finally, it is an object to provide a drip-preventing saucer of the aforementioned character which is simple, safe and convenient to operate, and which will give generally efficient and durable service.

With these and other objects definitely in view, this invention consists in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of elements and portions, as will be hereinafter fully described in the specification, particularly pointed out in the claims, and illustrated in the drawing which forms a material part of this disclosure and wherein similar characters of reference indicate similar or identical elements and portions throughout the specification and throughout the views of the drawing, and in which:

Figure l is a perspective view of the saucer;

Figure 2 is a top plan view thereof;

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of the Figure 2.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, the saucer comprises a dished element having a generally flat base 12 with a downwardly extending annular rib 14 on which the saucer rests. Extending upwardly from the periphery ice 2. of said base 12 is an annular sloping wall 16 having a thickened rim 18 at its upper edge.

Substantially centrally onf-the base 12 is a raised boss 20 having a shallow cup-receiving socket 22 therein. Centrally in the socket 22 is a depressed reservoir 24, and it should be noted that the shelf of said socket slopes slightly downwardly toward the reservoir, as indicated at 26.. Surrounding the boss 20 ,is an annular trough 23 which is connected to the reservoir 24 by a plurality of generally radial channels 30. It should be noted that the reservoir 24 extends slightly below the level of the trough 28.

To illustrate the function of the saucer a cup 32 is indicated in dash line in Figure 3 and is shown in its normal position in the socket 22. The lower rim 34, usually found on conventional cups, rests on the sloping shelf 26 and presents a minimum area of contact between cup and saucer. The cup 32 is held in place in the socket 22 and is prevented from excess lateral movement in the saucer. Any liquid spilled from the cup enters the socket 22 and flows down the sloping shelf 26 into the reservoir 24. Furthermore, due to the fact that the reservoir 24 is deeper than the trough 28, any liquid spilled into the trough tends to flow through the channels 30 into said reservoir, where it is hidden as long as the cup is in place on the saucer. Reasonable amounts of spilled liquid accumulate in this reservoir 24 and the liquid is thus concealed by the cup itself, when in place on the saucer, so that the spillage is not noticeable. This arrangement has esthetic appeal and ensures that minor spillage does not detract from the appearance of the tableware.

Should a large quantity of liquid be spilled, the excess overflows from a reservoir 24 through the channels 39 and is distributed in the trough 23. The considerable capacity of the reservoir 24, trough 28 and channels 30 is sufiicient to hold a large overflow or spillage and the cup 32 is held above the level of spilled liquid under all normal circumstances, so keeping the cup itself substantially dry and drip-free.

The operation of this invention will be clearly comprehended from a consideration of the foregoing description of the mechanical details thereof, taken in connection with the drawing and the above recited objects. It will be obvious that all said objects are amply achieved by this invention.

Further description would appear to be unnecessary.

It is understood that minor variation from the forms of the invention disclosed herein may be made without departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and that the sepcification and drawing are to be considered as merely illustrative rather than limiting.

I claim:

1. A drip-preventing saucer comprising a dished element having a base, and an upwardly and radially outwardly sloping annular wall disposed peripherally of said base and integral therewith, a raised boss on said base substantially concentric with said wall, a cup-receiving socket in said boss, a depressed reservoir within said socket, said socket having a cup-supporting shelf sloping inwardly and downwardly to the top of said reservoir, an annular trough substantially concentric with said reservoir and laterally defined by said boss and said wall, and a plurality of open-topped channels in said boss interconnecting said trough and said reservoir.

2. A drip-preventing saucer comprising a dished element having a base, and an upwardly and radially outwardly sloping annular wall disposed peripherally of said base and integral therewith, a raised boss on said base substantially concentric with said wall, a cup-receiving socket in said boss, a depressed reservoir within said socket, said socket having a cup-supporting shelf sloping inwardly and downwardly to the top of said reservoir,

an annular trough substantially concentric with said reservoir and laterally defined by said boss and said wall, and a plurality of open-topped channels in said boss interconnecting said trough and said reservoir, said reservoir extending to a level substantially below the level of said trough, whereby a minor spillage of liquid onto said shelf and trough will be drained into said reservoir.

117,766 Gibson Aug, 8, 1871 4 Walter Aug. 15, Price Jan'. 3, Chambers Mar. 21, Gibson Mar. 21, Durben Dec. 27,

FOREIGN PATENTS Great Britain July 9, Great Britain Sept. 24, Great Britain July 5, 

